In שׁוֹרָשִׁים (Shorashim– ‘roots’ for nursery) and שְׁתִּילִים (Shteelim– ‘saplings’ for kindergarten) we have started to work on our design for the curtain for our community’s אָרוֹן (aron- ark)! In preparation for starting our work, we went outside to do color and texture matching in nature. We brought fabric swatches with us and when we found a …
Category: Shavuot
Apr 25
Delving into Shavuot
We’ve been celebrating holidays for weeks in to Anafim v’Alonim (“Branches” for 4th Grade and “Oak Trees” for 5th Grade)! We ate hamantaschen, and read Megillat Esther (Book of Esther), and constructed the Fortress City of Shushan to celebrate Purim. Then, we turned our focus towards Pesach (Passover): delving into the Torah Story, exploring Eliyahu …
Apr 24
Starting Shavuot!
In our spring theme, Shavuot, we are taking a close look at how Judaism has changed through time – from the Torah, to the early Rabbis, to Jewish people today (which includes us!). Children have been excited to share what they already know (“Yosef is in the Torah!”) and to see how their ideas and …
Apr 20
Torah, Torah!
In שׁוֹרָשִׁים (Shorashim– ‘roots’ for nursery) and שְׁתִּילִים (Shteelim– ‘saplings’ for kindergarten) we have started exploring our final theme of the year, שָׁבוּעוֹת (Shavuot-Weeks). The starting point of this theme, is about תּוֹרָה (Torah). We started by making a list of everything that we already know about תּוֹרָה (Torah) . Then we went to visit every location …
May 15
Chaverim Through the Year
The families of שָׁלוֹם חֲבֵרִים (Shalom, Chaverim! – Welcome, Friends! for ages 0 – 3 and their grown-ups) are wrapping up the school year by revisiting the חַגִים (chaggim, holidays) we explored. Children could color holiday images while examining holiday objects, or hunt for items in the sensory bin. We also introduced the upcoming Jewish holiday of …
Jun 06
Preparing For Sunday
This week, the educators of the Jewish Enrichment Center have been very busy getting ready for our Shavuot End of Year Torah Celebration, taking place this Sunday, starting at 9 AM! We are looking forward to sharing all of the Torah we have explored at the Jewish Enrichment Center through the years! See you on …
May 25
Quick, quick.
There’s not a moment to lose! We only have a few real workdays left, and it turns out that this project we’ve undertaken is actually our biggest and most collaborative project yet. It’s just right for the end of the year, though: Look at how many skills and habits are going into it! Familiarity and …
May 23
Broken Telephone
Judaism grows and changes over time. Nitzanim children have been exploring Shavuot and the way that ideas about Shavuot have changed over time. We started with ideas about Shavuot in the Torah and then moved onto exploring what the ancient early rabbis (1st-6th centuries) had to say. Now, we’re starting to talk about later developments, ideas about Shavuot …
May 19
Collaboration
“Wait, the chalk slipped. Hold it still while I do it again.” “Can you pull that side so it stays tight?” “But look. If we make the swirls thinner, there’s more room for the scenes.” “Is that the earth and the sea?” “No, I think it’s Noah’s Ark. See the flood and the mountain sticking out?” …
May 18
Final project time!
This week in אלונים (“Oak trees,” for 5th and 6th grades), we’ve been busy working on our final projects for the year! Our final project prompt is: Tell the story of your encounter with a big idea or question this year. Children are working independently or in pairs to identify a big question or idea …
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